Chalgyr's Game Room

Loco Motive - PC Review

December 27, 2024Chucklefish, Loco Motive, pc, PC (Steam), Point and Click Adventure, review, Robust Games No comments

Loco Motive by developer Robust Games and publisher Chucklefish—PC(Steam) review written by Natasha with a copy provided by the publisher.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

*Radio Static*

Agent Type! Come in, Agent Type? This is Operator Po. Do you read me?

I read you loud and clear, Op Po! What's the situation?

We have been informed that our target audience is in compartment 6. They are armed and heavily guarded with the latest review on Loco Motive.

EGAD! We don't have a moment to lose. (Straps on a harness and pulls out a copy of my review from my finest tailor cut suit) It's now or never! (I swing down from the top of the train and smash into our target's private quarters. Only to hear shots fired) NO! Am I too late?

(I rush over to our target and cradle them in my arms. I notice their breath is shallow and catch someone escape out the room.) Please... *Wheeze* I need... good content before I pass on. (I see them gripping another copy of a review)

Foul play! This is CRAZY! Who would have the motive to do such a thing? (I rush to shove the copy of my review into their view) Read, dammit, read! Don't let your final moments be in vain. This content could bring you peace of mind. I need you to READ!

~ ~ ~

All Aboard the Reuss Express

Loco Motive is a wonderful point and click, puzzle, adventure game about a retiring wealthy heiress, Lady Unterwald, who has a hard time picking her next successor. Wanting to make a grand spectacle about it she chooses to celebrate her future retirement on her most prized possession: The Reuss Express. A new type of train that is the first to run on the power of steam (for it's time). As she gathers her friends and family, upon the moment of her revealing the successor, the train travels through a sudden dark tunnel. No one expected to find a murder at the end of the tunnel. Killed in cold blood, it's up to her attorney, Arthur Ackerman, and the helping hand of other special individuals, to solve and find the late Lady's killer and final will and testimony. Will you find the clues in time or will this twisted individual get away with all the gold and glory?

A Trio of Unlikely Agents

You would think the best private investigators are on the case, right? But, you'd guest wrong, as this is an impossible situation and you'll have to make do with the cast of characters who are on board this murderous train. Who knows... it could be fun?

Arthur Ackerman

A semi professional attorney who seems to have won the most trust with Lady Unterwald. A good soul at heart he tends to become extremely gullible to everyone around him, which in turn could land him in hot water. He tries to see the best in everyone he meets, but can fall short of taking a hint from time to time. If his loyalty to the wealthy heiress ain't apparent, you should see how he reacts to a mountain of paperwork.

Herman Merman

An aspiring novelist, who tries to triumph over all his competition, especially that suave newcomer, Dirk Chiselton. This passionate adventurer for literature means well, but he will low key try to sabotage someone in order to work it out in his favour. He does tend to stay hidden under dire circumstances, but if you squint hard enough, this man tends to blend into the background effortlessly. Don't let all this negativity fool you, why he said so himself that all his published works are purely recounting the tales of his own trials. Maybe you've heard of 'Herman Merman and the Suburban Burden'? Quite the tale. You should give it a read.

Diana Osterhagen

Our final addition to the team is the lovely agent-in-training. Determined to prove her worth she jumps at the opportunity to earn her gold badge. Now if she could just convince her superiors to give her a chance. However, she has a hard time getting her seniors to notice her. She'll have to take things into her own hands and prove her cunning and brilliant secretive work. As she scoops up her trusty sidekick “Agent M” (Straight up a Mouse), the two take on the biggest gig of her life: infiltrating the Reuss Express.

Bureaucracy Powers this Murder

With the late Lady Unterwald passing, everyone onboard is in an uproar, but with a bit of digging we could solve this deadly mystery. And hopefully we're not too late.

As straight forward as it seems, a point and click adventure is just that. You point at an object of interest and investigate whether or not it is of any importance. Some items are obtainable and could even be combined with other items you pick up along the way. With a bit of brain work you may mix and match an item of greater use for you elsewhere.

There will be times where you will have to solve a puzzle or two in order to progress further into the story. None of them were relatively difficult, but if you find yourself struggling to move forward in the story, Loco Motive makes sure to never leave you stranded for long.

A Hotline worth Calling

Remember how I mentioned the game will lend a hand if you seem stuck? Introducing the Chiselton Hotline: your one-way ticket to help if you so require it. Stuck on your next move? Whelp there is a telephone on the train that'll connect you to the one and only up and coming talented detective himself. There are no penalties for how many times you need aid, Dirk is always available to lend an ear and some well laid out advice. It's even worth asking him multiple times, as he may just have the answers you seek.

A Cacophony of Hilarious Moments

One of the game's most noticeable genres that sticks out like a well earned paycheck, other than the obvious Mystery vibes, is Comedy. This locomotive is chock full of funny moments and hilarious quips. It's even worth talking to everyone multiple times just to get the whole picture of a running joke that started off as a mild chuckle, then blindsides you with a bellyful of laughter. I think I lost count on how many times the slap-stick jokes just got better with repetition. Even messing around in the menu section of the game is worth your time. Detail was key when the writers came up with this concept. Pure Comedy Gold!

One way Trip to Fortune

As we reach our destination on this magical voyage upon the beautiful Reuss Express, my experience is nothing short of, Bravo! Loco Motive seems to have reawakened my 'Days of the Tentacles' years and put a modern twist into the mix. If you're looking for a good time exploring, laughter and great story telling, then look no further. Visually, it's a story book crime adventure, never filled with dull moments. Each character is crafted to be memorable and fun. Surely, it marks a comeback to point and click adventure. I'm giving this title a solid 9.5 out of 10. Chugga Chugga Choo Choo!

Score: 9.5 / 10

Memorable Music in Gaming #59

December 26, 2024Breath of Fire V, Final Fantasy IX, Memorable Music, Memorable Music in Gaming, Memorable Music in Gaming #59, Persona 3, Shadow Hearts, Suikoden II No comments

This week, we’re diving into songs that aren’t just cool but also have some of the coolest titles around.

Suikoden II | PS1 | Gothic Neclord Battle

Now this is what you call a banger of a title. Bram Stoker would be proud.

The vintage, Jon Lord-esque organ piece perfectly sets the Baroque-era vibe, capturing the feeling of squaring off against an ancient villain. Dramatic, gothic, and unforgettable.

Best VGM 78 - Suikoden II - Gothic Neclord Battle

Breath of Fire V | PS2 | Electric Power Building

Maybe the title doesn’t fit the traditional definition of “cool,” but there’s something about brutalist-sounding words that feel right at home in the Mega-City One aesthetic of Dredd. Even its alternate title, PowerOne, is just as good.

The thumping, repetitive notes evoke the image of walking through desolate corridors with flickering lights and lifeless beige walls—a hauntingly industrial vibe.

Best VGM 161 - Breath of Fire V - Electric Power Building (PowerOne)

Final Fantasy IX | PS1 | Dark Messenger

Catchy doesn’t even begin to describe this one. It’s straight out of a melodic operatic metal album.

The cinematic buildup transitions into a rocking, unforgettable middle section. While it may not be as iconic as some other tracks in the series, it confidently holds its own as a classic.

Final Fantasy IX - The Dark Messenger (Trance Kuja Theme)

Shadow Hearts | PS2 | Coffee with Bullet

Come on, how cool is this title? It sounds like the name of a gritty comic miniseries from Vertigo or Image Comics, complete with noir or neo-noir potential.

This track is the shortest on the list, but it’s also the calmest. It’s the kind of tune you’d hear as the protagonist wakes up, draws the curtains, and brews a fresh cup of coffee.

Shadow Hearts Track 12 - Coffee with Bullet

Persona 3 | PS2 | Mass Destruction

Rap infused with funk and catchiness—what’s not to love? The entire song is a masterpiece, but Yumi Kawamura’s vocals take it to the next level, making it one of the best tracks in the Persona series.

Say it with me now: Baby, baby, da-dada-dada, dada-dada.

Persona 3 OST - Mass Destruction

Article by: Hamza

Game of the Year 2024

December 24, 2024Caravan SandWitch, Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, GOTY 2024, The Talos Principle 2: Road to Elysium, Unicorn Overlord No comments

It's been a couple of weeks of showcasing some of our favorite and most memorable titles, even some that surprised us in 2024, but alas, there can only be one winner. Some of these titles may shock you, some may be obvious choices, but no matter what anyone says, all of our reasons for loving certain games are valid. Check out Chalgyr's Game of the Year below and let us know what games are on your list!

Nick:

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

The initial entry was one I waited a long time to play through, but once I started it I couldn't put it down. I didn't wait that long for Rebirth, and with good reason. The continuing story was one that kept me invested from the beginning, and continues to connect with me in a way that the original (which I always enjoyed well enough) never quite did all those years ago.

Valerie:

Caravan SandWitch

I absolutely loved this game! It had everything in it to keep me absorbed and wanting to keep playing even after I would finish one of the puzzles or finish a quest. The characters were interesting as the story progressed and they fit right in the village they occupy. The bad guy in the game actually wasn’t who I thought it was at first and then clues revealed the true baddy not too long after I met the Sand Witch. The graphics were very colorful and spot on for each item and scenery in the game. The mechanics of the van in the game weren’t too hard to master, but I did wish for a couple of things as I played the game. Kudos to everyone at Studio Plane Toast! You made my Game of the Year and I look forward to the second ending, when I have the time to sit down to play again!

Susan:

The Talos Principle II: Road to Elysium

My Game of the Year could only be one (only because the other game that could take this spot I haven't yet purchased!) We all know about my love for puzzle games, and the Talos Principle II: Road to Elysium DLC takes the spot! There are a number of reasons why, beginning with the absolutely adorable story of Yaqut and Miranda. Of all the stories, this one made me smile the most. It grabbed at the heart strings. Although, the challenge world has an emotional story of its own as you get to experience what Byron went through. Not only does the challenge world kick you in the gut, the puzzles you have to solve are brainmelting. Unlike other game DLCs which may introduce new tools to solve puzzles, all of the tools you used previously are used. There is no guessing what new tools do to increase the challenge of the areas, the puzzles require a new way of thinking. And that is part of what makes it the game of the year for me, the fact that the difficulty is derived from your preconceived notions of how to solve a problem. The characters, the scenery, the secrets are cherries on the top of the cake. What's crazy about this DLC is that no one was expecting it! Road to Elysium was mentioned at an event like the PC Games Show, and I only found out about it because of another puzzle fanatic friend of mine. Honestly, if you love puzzle games, Talos Principle and Riven are the top dogs in my opinion.

Richard:

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2

I'll admit that the first experience I had with the Earth Defense Force series was...less than stellar. Once I started playing this EDF title? Man, I feel stupid for not getting more into the series before now. I've spent a lot of time trying to get others into the series now to play with me, and no shame will stop me making shameless plugs for it.

P.Y.:

Unicorn Overlord

Vanillaware? They know what they are doing. Having moved from side scrolling JRPGs into more narrative heavy experiences and real time strategy, Unicorn Overlord had me hooked from start to finish. This was one game that I just couldn't wait to finish work and boot up. The flow of the story, the real time strategy combat to move your forces around, but topped off with a hands off automated turned based combat, it meshed and merged styles in a great way that was hard to put down. I also very much enjoyed that while there were a variety of story based characters to add to your ranks, the more generic units weren't useless or just padding. They could hold their weight and at times even carry the fight over the narrative based characters because of their class types making them better in the combat situations that they found themselves in.

Ultima: Exodus - Retro Reflections

December 23, 2024classic, console, Exodus: Ultima III, FCI, JRPG, NES, Newtopia Planning, Nintendo Entertainment System, Old School, Retro Reflections, rpg, Ultima, Ultima 3, Ultima III: Exodus, Ultima: Exodus 1 comment

Ultima: Exodus by developers Origin Systems and Newtopia Planning and publisher FCI —Nintendo Entertainment System.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

There are two times of the year that tend to get me reflecting on games of old. One is near the end of spring, around my birthday and the other is near Christmas. The connection here should be obvious, as when I was a kid – most of the video games I played were gifted to me during one of those two yearly occasions.

In prior articles, I’ve touched on some of these gifts. Unabashed link-fest coming up, but I still have some strong memories and emotions tied to when I received my Nintendo Entertainment System (and Joust – I’ll have to reminisce on that one soon) from my Uncle Ken for Christmas. That same year my parents got me Elevator Action and Dragon Power as gifts, and my Grandpa Joe and Grandma Bev got me Double Dribble. A few years later, my Grandma Barb picked up Tecmo Basketball for Christmas. Before that my parents had gotten me into gaming with a TI99/4a, and years later my Uncle Ken again came through with the win, giving me a Sega Genesis for my birthday (and a ton of games such as Columns, Altered Beast, Sonic the Hedgehog and an EA golfing game).

Okay, that was a lot of nostalgia. But when I think of Ultima: Exodus, I get hit pretty hard with nostalgia as well. This wasn’t year one of me having my NES – it was a couple after I received it. This title got released on over a dozen platforms, with some variance in the naming such as Exodus: Ultima III and Ultima III: Exodus, but as it was the first release on the Nintendo Entertainment System, they simply went with the title Ultima: Exodus.

I had never heard of this game, and I’m not entirely sure what inspired my parents to pick it up. I vaguely recall my dad saying that he thought the cover of the box looked interesting and he was well aware that I was a big fan of the fantasy genre. This however, was also my true introduction to the roleplaying genre. Dragon Warrior wouldn’t be too far behind – I wound up borrowing that from a friend a few months after discovering my love for grinding through oodles of turn-based battles. This was well before I was introduced to Dungeons & Dragons or played my first Final Fantasy.

Now, in retrospect, Ultima: Exodus is a pretty flawed but still fun game. I’ve played it in somewhat recent years, and sure – any game release in 1989 is going to struggle when held up to today’s standards more than three decades later. I’m not talking about the graphics and sound (it is surprising how quickly the music tickled the back of my brain, but I logged dozens and dozens of hours with this game back in the day, so that music’s apparently been burned into my brain by now.

But even comparing this game to some of its contemporaries from around the same time, such as the first Dragon Warrior and Final Fantasy titles, Ultima: Exodus just had a lot of rough edges. Several things were poorly explained (somewhat common for the time), leading to a lot of wandering about and happening on to the next steps in the journey. The number scaling was off too, as experience for leveling was far easier to come by than the gold needed to purchase leveling. Those two things feel out of sorts with one another, despite being tied to the same progression system.

Also, the way the world handled levels was a little oddly inconsistent as the overworld scaled with your level but the dungeons were more set to level ranges, leading to an uneven experience if you grind a lot early on. Combat had a sort of weird hit / miss frame thing that was more about timing than the more traditional behind the scenes dice rolling.

However, there was a flexibility to Ultima: Exodus that felt somewhat ahead of its time as well. Character creation was incredibly flexible compared to similar titles. You had greater control over the way you could interact with characters, with commands to attack, attempt to steal or even bribe NPCs. You could even pick a fight with the king (though you’d lose – he’s indestructible). I did a lot of saving back then – but there were a lot of things that you could try – and screw up. Reviving characters is expensive, which makes the game feel more punitive than most of the era.

It's also worth noting that when you discover the hidden land of Ambrosia, the game opened up in a new and unexpected way, including better character progression. That’s sort of the theme of Ultima: Exodus. It was a dense game with a lot of systems that often were not well explained, and there was precious little handholding done. It’s not one of the hardest NES games in the traditional sense, but a lot of hours and perseverance is needed to see it through to the finale.

In the end, however, for all its foibles, Ultima: Exodus is more than just the game it is – at least to me. It’s another set of memories tied to a Christmas gift from loved ones, and it also introduced me to one of my favorite video game genres ever. I think those things make Ultima: Exodus something far more special.

Article by: Nick

Watch the Debut Cinematic of Civilization VII from The Game Awards!

December 20, 20242K, Epic Games Store, Firaxis Games, News, Nintendo Switch, pc, PlayStation 4|5, Sid Meier's Civilization VII, Steam, Xbox Series X|S No comments

December 12th, 2025 | Sid Meier's Civilization VII Debuted the Epic Opening Cinematic at The Game Awards 2024

Live orchestra performs music by GRAMMY award-winning composer Christopher Tin; watch the full version of the trailer here

2K and Firaxis Games debuted today the in-game opening cinematic to Sid Meier's Civilization VII at The Game Awards 2024. During the show, in-person attendees were treated to an epic live orchestral performance accompanying the cinematic, featuring music specially composed by GRAMMY® award-winning composer Christopher Tin.

Voiced-over by Civilization VII-narrator Gwendoline Christie ("Game of Thrones," "Star Wars" franchise), the opening cinematic takes viewers on a journey through the Ages. As a lone farmer uncovers a buried and rusted saber, we see its history unfold. The saber passes from one generation to the next, across different cultures and regions of the world, illuminating a central theme of the game - that history is built in layers. The full uncut version of the opening cinematic is available to watch here.

In addition to the opening cinematic, the main theme for Civilization VII, "Live Gloriously," was also revealed. Composer Christopher Tin shares: "With 'Live Gloriously,' I wanted to capture universal themes of hope, heroism and mortality that have resonated across history. You'll hear words from The Iliad, Beowulf, Popol Vuh and Ramayana, delivering a beautiful sense of gravity and emotion that embodies the story of humanity."

Sid Meier's Civilization VII launches on February 11, 2025 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, and Mac and Linux via Steam. Sid Meier's Civilization VII is currently rated E10+ by the ESRB. Firaxis Games is a 2K studio. 2K is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

Article by: Susan N.

Tactical Adventures Unveils Ambitious Sequel 'Solasta II' in 2025!

December 20, 2024demo, Early Access, News, pc, rpg, Solasta II, Tactical Adventures, TTRPG No comments

PARIS (Dec. 12, 2024) | At The Game Awards, indie studio Tactical Adventures unveiled Solasta II, the ambitious sequel to their beloved tabletop-inspired RPG. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, Solasta II is set to launch in Early Access on PC in 2025, with a free playable demo due for release early next year. Tactical Adventures are excited to work with the community once again to refine and shape Solasta II into the ultimate TTRPG experience.

Decades after the events of Solasta: Crown of the Magister (2021), Solasta II transports players to the vibrant high-fantasy realm of Neokos—a land of breathtaking beauty teetering on the edge of ruin at the hands of Shadwyn, an all-powerful being brought to life by Amelia Tyler (Baldur’s Gate 3, Hades II). As her endless tide of corruption spreads across the continent, a band of valiant adventurers rises to the challenge. While navigating towering landscapes to contending with political factions vying for power and fighting fearsome foes, players must make wise decisions to end an ancient feud before it engulfs the lands in bloodshed and strife.

Mathieu Girard, Creative Director, shared, "Our team of 35 combines deep expertise with a passion for crafting immersive and challenging gaming experiences. With our first game, we started as a Kickstarter success story, building on the SRD 5.1 ruleset to create a tactical RPG that has resonated with over 1.5 million players. Now, with Solasta II, we’re taking all that even further – pushing the system with fresh takes on tactical depth, fun and accessibility. Players will explore Neokos, a new continent brimming with magic, colossal landscapes and discover unprecedented lore, while facing the growing force of Shadwyn, a charismatic villain driven by a relentless desire to reclaim her lost power.

This project is powered by ambition, respect for our players and a shared belief in the strength of what we’re building together. We can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on it and tell us what they think!"

Players will roll the dice with the D20 system, create their party and embark on a quest filled with strategy, magic and intrigue. With Solasta II, Tactical Adventures aims to deliver a truly immersive experience featuring deep tactical combat and a wealth of exciting features.

Key Features Include:

Complete Party Management and Customization - Create and develop your own party of four adventurers, all fully voiced and each fully customizable with unique skills and abilities.
1-4 Player Online Co-op - Team up with others online to strategize and share tactical triumphs.
Turn-Based Tactical Combat - Master tactical combat, utilizing the full depth of the D&D 5E ruleset for immersive, strategic battles.
Unreal Engine 5 - Experience cutting-edge visuals and immersive environments.
Console Optimization - Designed for seamless play with console pads delivering an experience on par with mouse and keyboard.

Solasta II is in development for PC and available to wishlist now with Early Access coming in 2025. Fans can look forward to a playable demo soon and stay up to date with the latest news by signing up for the newsletter at www.solasta-game.com. They can also speak directly with Tactical Adventures through the official Discord.

Follow Solasta II on Twitter, Discord, YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, and Steam here: https://www.solasta-game.com/hub/linkhub

About Tactical Adventures

Tactical Adventures is an independent development studio based in Paris, founded in 2018 with a commitment to bringing the tabletop RPG experience to life on screen. Led by industry veterans, the team focuses on crafting deeply narrative-driven games within the RPG genre. Their passion for immersive storytelling led to the creation of Solasta: Crown of the Magister, a project initially brought to life through a successful Kickstarter campaign. Tactical Adventures is currently working on Solasta II, the highly anticipated sequel set to debut in Early Access for PC in 2025.

Article by: Susan N.

Take a Look at PQube Asia's Showcase of Upcoming Games in 2025!

December 19, 2024Class of Heroes 3 Remaster, Death Match Love Comedy!, Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark, Iwakura Aria, K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut, News, PQube, Showcase No comments

PQube (London, UK) - December 11th, 2024 | Today, PQube hosted a showcase of their upcoming games, including five brand new announcements! To those that missed the showcase, all the upcoming releases can be seen below, or on the stream VOD.

The Showcase featured the following title announcements:

Class of Heroes 3 Remaster (Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS5) Coming 2025
Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark (Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox) Digital Launch March 27th, 2025
Death Match Love Comedy! (Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox) Coming 2025
K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut (Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox) Coming 2025
Iwakura Aria (Steam, Nintendo Switch) Coming 2025

Each newly announced title will receive more information in the form of a press release in the coming weeks.

WATCH THE SHOWCASE

CLASS OF HEROES 3 REMASTER

Class is back in session! After a 15 year wait, Class of Heroes 3 Remaster, the revered school-themed dungeon RPG series, is finally here! Enroll in one of three distinct schools and join your fellow students on an epic dungeon crawling adventure.

Delve into dungeons!: Class of Heroes 3 Remaster takes 3D dungeon-crawling RPGs to a new level - with more characters and bigger dungeons than ever before!
Back to School: Choose from one of three distinct schools - each will change your uniform, difficulty and story!
Make new friends: The expanded relationship system lets you forge (or break!) bonds with the fellow students in your party. The stronger the bond, the greater the benefit!
Let’s party!: Team up with fellow students from a huge range of races and classes to build the best possible party of heroes to explore dungeons with.
Plunder the dungeons!: Take your party into colossal, labyrinthine dungeons - fight off enemies and plunder the loot to make yourself stronger on each run!
Build it your way: With hundreds of weapons, armour and items - along with even more combinations of races and classes. Customise your team to suit your playing style!
New and improved: As the third iteration in the series, every aspect of the original games has been enhanced and improved to make this the most enjoyable in the series yet!

Class of Heroes 3 Remaster is coming to Steam, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5 next year.

Gal Guardians Servants of the Dark

Take control of the demon sisters Kirika and Masha as they attempt to revive their Demon Lord Maxim and rebuild their castle in this 2D action Metroidvania adventure!

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark takes the tight action players enjoyed in “Gal Guardians: Demon Purge” and vastly increases the exploration and collection elements, shifting genres completely to a full Metroidvania for an all-new experience.

Servants of the Dark moves the setting from a single demonic castle to the entirety of the demon world. Players will control two demon maids as they explore the underworld: Kirika and her younger sister Masha. They each have different attacks and abilities, requiring players to switch between the two as they explore each area, upgrade their weapons, defeat demonic bosses, and revive their master, the Demon Lord Maxim.

Additionally, Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark features online 2-player co-op, allowing two players anywhere in the world to control the two sisters simultaneously.

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark is coming digitally to Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox on March 27th, 2025.

Death Match Love Comedy

From the creators of “Raging Loop” comes a wild-ride of a visual novel, full of slapstick comedy, occult experiences, and romance!

First year Kei Yagi is about to receive a love confession from not one, but two classmates, when he suddenly explodes! Although this initial incident was an illusion, he discovers that due to a mysterious curse put upon him, the next time he receives a confession of love he will truly explode and die!

Map it all out: Multiple routes and endings can be navigated easily through the chart system which allows you to pick up from various points along any route you’ve travelled.

Confession Time: A special confession warning light appears when the time for love confessions looms near, helping you avoid destruction (or accept it to collect all the bad endings!).

The Popular Kid: With all sorts of strange happenings and encounters with curious characters, at least Kei isn’t alone in this rollercoaster ride. From girls fighting over him, to classmates fighting alongside him, Kei’s making some unforgettable high school memories.

Sister Universe: Loved “Raging Loop”? Then you’ll love this. At first glance it may seem like completely different work, but these visual novels are deeply connected sister works by scenario writer amphibian.

Enjoy your time in this hybrid, high school fantasy / romantic slapstick comedy visual novel, where you need to push away the affection thrown your way, lest you instantly explode all the while trying to break the strange curse put upon you.

Death Match Love Comedy! is coming to Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox in 2025.

K-POP IDOL STORIES: ROAD TO DEBUT

A love letter to the exciting world of K-Pop, K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut is a life simulation where you are the manager of multiple K-Pop talents. Manage their schedule, pick their music and choose their fashion to turn them into superstars!

Choose your trainees: As their manager, it's up to you to understand their stories, personalities, and strengths. Assemble a diverse and dynamic group of idols to create a perfect team!

Original K-Pop Soundtrack: What’s your K-pop group’s concept? Choose the soundtrack for their debut single, produced by a K-pop composer exclusively for this game.

Your Choices Matter: What kind of manager are you? Disciplined and straightforward, or caring and compassionate? The choice is yours.

Unlock and Plan their Schedules: Should you send your idols to rigorous dance practice, or let them unwind with a relaxing yoga class? Your choices impact the team’s growth and the story’s direction.

Moving Minigames: From hitting the pitch to memorising dance moves, be a true part of the training process. Aim for an S-rank to ensure your trainees achieve their ultimate potential.

Discover More: By selecting different places on the map and visiting different locations you can uncover snippets of other characters' lives and maybe even discover their secrets...

K-POP Idol Stories: Road to Debut is coming to Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox in 2025.

IWAKURA ARIA

Iwakura Aria is a brand-new original visual novel from MAGES. The Iwakura mansion holds a dark secret. Ichiko the new young maid joins looking for nothing but safety and security, but she would soon find herself entangled with the beautiful daughter of the Iwakura household. Unravel the secrets of the Iwakura mansion in this gripping suspense visual novel.

Heart Pounding Revelations: Play as Ichiko, housekeeper to the Iwakura mansion, and uncover the chilling machinations at play as you grow closer to Aria and her dark fate.

Change the Future: With nine different endings to unlock, the choices you make affect the outcome of the future and the life the protagonist is living 33 years after the events of the main game.

Unlock Secrets: Use the map to explore different rooms of the mansion to piece together key information needed to uncover characters' hidden secrets.

Ichiko’s Sketchbook: Carefully detailed drawings of what captivates her interest, these drawings can also reveal hidden clues to the twisted heart of the Iwakura mansion.

Renaissance Dream: The story comes to life through painterly illustrations and cut-out frames which piece together multiple images into one scene, by illustrator Hyakunen and graphic designer Fumi Nakada.

Gripping Connections: The bonds between the women of the mansion pull together the story, from friendship to love, these strong emotions underpin the suspense which builds with each chapter.

Iwakura Aria is coming to Steam and Nintendo Switch next year.

More information on these titles will be available in the coming weeks.

Stay Tuned for more PQube Asia Titles Coming Soon!

Article by: Susan N.

Jump into New Metroidvania Title 'Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark' in 2025!

December 19, 20242D Action, 2D Adventure, Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark, Inti Creates, Metroidvania, News No comments

Chiba, Japan, December 11, 2024 | INTI CREATES has announced that “Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark”, the new 2D action Metroidvania in the Gal Guardians series, will release digitally to all platforms on March 27th, 2025. This announcement comes alongside a new full length trailer for the
game and details on gameplay.

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark

"Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark" is the newest title in the Gal Guardians series of gothic-inspired 2D action-adventure games.

"Servants of the Dark" greatly expands the setting from a single castle to the entirety of the Demon Realm, and further evolves the gameplay into a true Metroidvania adventure. It also stars two new characters with different playstyles, Kirika and Masha, who players can switch between in order to
fully explore the vast areas and take down enemies and bosses.

You must search far and wide for the means to revive Kirika and Masha's master, the Demon Lord Maxim, and restore him to power. In this upside-down world, you'll fight alongside demons and against demons, as well as Demon Hunters from the Human Realm. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

Adventure through the vast Demon Realm to revive your allies!

The critically acclaimed action of "Gal Guardians: Demon Purge" comes to a fully-realized Metroidvania! Countless combos and possibilities await as you explore the Demon Realm with two upgradable characters.

Search for hidden passages, trap doors, and solve puzzles throughout the Demon Realm to collect the scattered bones of the Demon Lord Maxim. The sub-weapons and abilities you've unlocked for the heroines Kirika and Masha will open up new routes and strategies, so you'll need to try every tool
at your disposal!

In addition, each of Maxim's vassals you find and revive will help strengthen your home base, the Demon Lord's castle. As you rebuild, it will provide bonus support features to assist you. As the colorful cast of vassals fills out, you'll see their personalities shine in fully voiced cut scenes that
play throughout the game.

Swap between the sisters in Demonic action gameplay!

Sister maid heroines, Kirika and Masha, bring their own unique gameplay styles. Older sister Kirika attacks from a distance with demonic guns while her younger sister Masha covers close ranges with her whip. They can spend demonic energy to attack with different sub-weapons as well, but it is crucial
to switch between the two as the situation changes.

Should one of the sisters be defeated, you can bring her back to life by returning to her location and using "Sister Rescue" to revive her. Also, two player co-op play is available both local and online*! With each player controlling a sister, your options will open up greatly!
*Online co-op to be added in an update post-launch

Mountains of items to collect!

Enemies and treasure chests will earn you consumable items, sub-weapons, and passive enhancements called "Demon Relics" as random drops. You'll use these items to unlock new special abilities for the sisters and access new areas of the map. Sub-weapons can be combined and crafted to customize
their power, making use of items you wouldn't otherwise need.

Choose the play "Style" that's right for you!

Servants of the Dark inherits the "Style" system of its predecessor, allowing you choose between "Casual," "Veteran," and "Legend." You can switch Styles at any time, and all of the game's content is available no matter what you choose.

About INTI CREATES

Founded in 1996, INTI CREATES is an independent game developer located in Chiba, Japan. They have long been known for their work on Capcom’s Mega Man series, developing Mega Man 9, 10, and the Mega Man Zero and ZX series. In 2014, they launched their flagship series with Azure Striker Gunvolt on the Nintendo 3DS, and have only continued to release more renowned action games since then, such as Gal*Gun Double Peace, Blaster Master Zero, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon, and Dragon Marked for Death.

Article by: Susan N.

Game of the Year 2024 - Runner Up

December 19, 2024BAKKERU, Game of the Year 2024 - Runner Up, Mika and The Witch's Mountain, Riven, Tekken 8, Ys X: Nordics No comments

We're coming close to the game titles you've all been waiting for. But what would a Game of the Year list be if there weren't runners up? These are titles that were so close to taking the top spot for each of us, but didn't quite make it. We don't know about you, but we are excited to hear what some of you have for runners up this year!